Indulgent and opulent is the best way I can describe Topkapi Palace.
A huge and grand palace - the highlight for me was the Harem. The rooms are massive, tiled in ornate tiles mainly blue and green in colour with lots of gold too. Another place to read more about to get a better understanding of all the power/layer structures in place.
You certainly wanted to be one of the favoured concubines that became a 'wife' of the Sultan - life looked pretty good - great accommodation and privileges! Much better than being a eunoch - an intetesting conversation explaining a eunoch to 8 & 9 yr old boys!!!
The size of the complete palace complex is just incredible. As I sat outside looking up at the place I wondered how many people were involved in building such an incredible structure, whether lives were lost in the process and about the ceramic tile industry which was certainly an incredible part of making this palace what it is.