How to Find a Stronghold in Minecraft and What’s Hidden Inside

Minecraft strongholds: mysterious underground structures brimming with secrets, dangers, and valuable rewards. Ready to explore their dark corridors and face the lurking monsters? This guide is for you!

Table of Contents

• What is a Stronghold in Minecraft?
• How to Find a Stronghold in Minecraft
  • Eye of Ender
  • The Locate Command
• Stronghold Rooms
  • Library
  • Prison
  • Fountain
  • Secret Rooms
  • Altar
• Stronghold Mobs
• Rewards
• Portal to the Ender Dragon

What is a Stronghold in Minecraft?

Ancient underground catacombs, strongholds are filled with valuable loot, intriguing rooms (libraries, prisons, etc.), and most importantly, a portal to The End – the game's final boss battle. Navigating these labyrinthine structures is an adventure in itself. You won't stumble upon a stronghold by accident; the game provides a specific method for locating them.

The portal to The End is activated using Eyes of Ender, detailed below.

How to Find a Stronghold in Minecraft

Eye of Ender

This is the intended and most reliable method. To craft Eyes of Ender, you'll need:

• Blaze Powder (from Blaze rods dropped by Blazes)
• Ender Pearls (dropped by Endermen, purchased from villager priests, or found in stronghold chests)

Throw an Eye of Ender; it will float briefly in the direction of the nearest stronghold. Remember, Eyes of Ender are consumable. For a survival playthrough, aim to gather around 30.

The Locate Command

For a less conventional (and arguably unfair) approach, enable cheats in your game settings and use this command:

/locate structure stronghold (for versions 1.20 and above)

This provides approximate coordinates. Teleport to them using /tp , but be prepared for some searching; the location might not be precisely on the marker.

Stronghold Rooms

Library

Spacious rooms with high ceilings, bookshelves, and cobwebs. Chests near the bookshelves often contain enchanted books and other useful resources.

Prison

A confusing maze with narrow corridors, bars, and dim lighting. Beware of skeletons, zombies, and creepers.

Fountain

A central feature, often giving the room a mystical feel.

Secret Rooms

Hidden behind walls, these chambers may contain valuable loot, but watch out for traps!

Altar

An eerie room, often appearing more like a prison than a sacred space.

Stronghold Mobs

Expect skeletons, creepers, and numerous silverfish. While manageable with basic iron armor, they still pose a threat.

Rewards

Loot is randomized, but potential treasures include enchanted books, iron armor, iron swords, and even diamond horse armor.

Portal to the Ender Dragon

The stronghold holds the portal to the Ender Dragon, the final boss of Minecraft's survival mode. Explore fully and conquer the challenges within!