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, and more!), and—most importantly—the portal to the End and the final boss battle. Exploring these labyrinthine structures is a thrilling adventure. You won't stumble upon them by accident; the game provides a specific method for locating them.

The Eye of Ender is your key to unlocking the stronghold's secrets, and we'll delve into its details in the next section.

How to Find a Stronghold in Minecraft

Eye of Ender

This is the intended and most reliable way to locate a stronghold. Craft it using Blaze Powder (from Blaze rods dropped by Blazes) and Ender Pearls (obtained by killing Endermen, trading with villagers, or finding them in stronghold chests).

Throw the Eye of Ender; it will float briefly in the direction of the nearest stronghold. Remember, it's a consumable item, so use them strategically. For a survival playthrough, aim for at least 30 Eyes of Ender.

You'll need these to activate the End portal once you reach the stronghold.

The Locate Command

For a quicker (but less challenging) approach, enable cheats in your game settings and use this command:

/locate structure stronghold (for version 1.20 and above)

This provides approximate coordinates. Use /tp to teleport near the stronghold, but be prepared for some searching as the coordinates aren't precise.

Stronghold Rooms

Library

Stone, brick, and bookshelves create a mysterious atmosphere in these spacious rooms. Hidden deep within the stronghold, libraries often contain chests with enchanted books and other valuable resources.

Prison

A confusing maze of narrow corridors and dim lighting, the prison is a dangerous area filled with skeletons, zombies, and creepers. Navigate carefully!

Fountain

A central feature of some strongholds, the fountain adds a mystical touch to the environment.

Secret Rooms

Explore the walls! Hidden chambers often contain valuable loot, but watch out for traps.

Altar

An eerie room with a stone structure at its center, the altar adds to the stronghold's mysterious ambiance.

Stronghold Mobs

Expect encounters with skeletons, creepers, and silverfish within the stronghold.

Rewards

The rewards are randomized, but you might find enchanted books, iron/gold/diamond horse armor, and more!

Portal to the Ender Dragon

The stronghold holds the portal to the End and the final boss, the Ender Dragon. Explore fully and enjoy the adventure!