Three-dimensional perspective

What is close in this picture and what is far away? How can the eye and brain be tricked and how can we create perspective and 3D effects?

The picture has been constructed in three dimensions, and certain parts protrude from the rear plane of the picture. The houses in the picture have corners at their ends that are directed towards the viewer. Since these corners appear to be closest, it is easy to believe that they constitute protruding parts in the relief. It is, actually, the complete opposite. The eye is tricked by other perspectives in the picture that affect how we determine what appears to be close and what appears to be far away.