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 hold valuable loot and a portal to The End, the game's final boss battle. Explore winding corridors, prisons, libraries, and more! Activating the portal requires Eyes of Ender (explained below). Finding a stronghold without assistance is impossible; the game provides only one reliable method, though unofficial techniques exist.

How to Find a Stronghold in Minecraft

Eye of Ender

This is the intended method. Craft them using Blaze Powder (from Blaze rods dropped by Blazes) and Ender Pearls (obtained by killing Endermen, trading with villager priests, or finding them in stronghold chests).

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

The Locate Command

For a less conventional (and arguably unfair) approach, enable cheats, then use this command:

/locate structure stronghold (for versions 1.20 and above)

This provides approximate coordinates. Use /tp to teleport near the stronghold. Note that the location is not exact; further searching might be necessary.

Stronghold Rooms

Library

Stone, brick, and bookshelves fill these atmospheric rooms, often hidden deep within the stronghold. Chests near the bookshelves contain enchanted books and other useful resources.

Prison

A maze-like area with narrow corridors, bars, and dim lighting, populated by skeletons, zombies, and creepers. Navigate carefully!

Fountain

A central fountain adds a mystical touch to this room.

Secret Rooms

Hidden behind walls, these chambers often contain valuable loot, but beware of traps!

Altar

An eerie room, seemingly an ancient altar.

Stronghold Mobs

Expect skeletons, creepers, and silverfish. Even players with basic iron armor can handle these foes.

Rewards

Rewards are random, but possibilities include enchanted books, iron armor, iron swords, and even diamond horse armor.

Portal to the Ender Dragon

The stronghold contains the portal to the Ender Dragon, Minecraft's final boss. Explore fully to make the most of this challenging and rewarding experience!