Bab al-Yaman is the main gate of Old Sanaa's old fortified wall, on the southern extremity of the walled city. German geographer Carl Rathjens dated its current appearance to the 17th century and attributed the initial design of the gate to the biblical Shem, the son of Noah. Today, it is the most ornate of the gates of Sana's Old City. Passengers travelling southward, en route to Ma'bar and Dhamar, would depart from this gate.