Once Frankfurt, on the River Main, boasted the biggest medieval city center in Germany, but the timber-framed houses were turned to rubble during World War II bombings. Since then the face of the city has changed completely, with one high-rise after the other being constructed. Today it is home to some 700,000 people, making Frankfurt the biggest city in the state of Hesse. Numerous banks are based on the skyscraper metropolis, including the European Central Bank. The best view of the skyline can be found on the river banks.