Kerastaris () is a village in the municipal unit of Valtetsi, Municipality of Tripoli, Arcadia, Greece. It is situated on a hillside north of the river Alfeios at the southwestern foot of Mount Agios Ilias (or Profitis Ilias, 1100 m). It is 2 km west of Asea, 2 km north of Athinaio, 9 km east of Megalopoli and 16 km southwest of Tripoli. It has an altitude of 760 meters. It is 10 minutes from the Korinth-Tripoli - Kalamata, fifteen minutes from Tripoli and 40 minutes from Kalamata. Natural landscape It is found in a wooded environment with areas forested with oak. Part of these areas is the wildlife refuge of Prophet Elias with an area of 14,500 acres. The area supplies with its streams the upper course of the river Alfeios and its tributary Elissonas. The main feature of Kerastari is the oak forest which grows from the borders of the village to almost the top of Mount Agios Elias. It is worth noting that the people of Kerastaris protected this forest from poaching and overgrazing so that it could grow smoothly for decades. The forests of the area with the age-old tall oaks provided for centuries timber both for construction works (roofs, ceilings, beams, etc.) and for the production of charcoal. For this reason they attracted lumberjacks from other areas. Those coming from Agios Petros were the last to systematically clear the forests during the Turkish occupation. Name The name of the village comes from the word "kerestes" - wood used in building constructions and in shipbuilding which is a linguistic loan from the Turkish word "kereste" - timber, wood, building timber, which in turn comes from the Persian "keraste". When the suffix - ari is added, the word Kerastari appears as a place name that describes the place where such timber is exported. Brief History The area has been inhabited since ancient times. An important find of great artistic value is the bronze warrior belt of the 7th century BC. probably made in the laboratories of Argos. Represents two warriors with octagonal shields and chariots on the right and left. Exhibited at the National Archaeological Museum. At the top of Agios Ilias are the foundations of the Late Archaic Doric Temple of 500 BC. about, dedicated to Gods of ancient Greeks Athena and Poseidon. In recent years, residents from various parts of the Peloponnese have moved here