The longer I look at this, the more it reminds me of a deluge. There is quite a lot of symbolism in this view, if you read it in a particular way. The landscape here is constantly undulating, it almost seems to be in the process of moving. There is a strong right to left perpendicular movement and the houses seem to be overwhelmed by the landscape. In contrast the church is on high ground and rises above all this. Being made of white stone it also has the highest contrast.
This is going to be the general thrust of the painting.
View from Montepulciano. Day 1