F. Topkapi Palace - Nancy L Korprowski

"After I convinced them that I was a harmless novelist, I actually got them to give me a tour of the harem - which is usually off limits for tourists." (Dorothy Dunnett)

My tour of Topkapi Palace in 2007 brought to life my favourite Lymond volume Pawn in Frankincense.  Today, the harem is a popular tourist destination, but was closed for refurbishing during my visit.  Topkapi is sprawling labyrinth, and it was not difficult to imagine Philippa a captive in its bejewelled interior.  If she ventured onto any of its many terraces, she would have had spectacular views of The Bosphorus.