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

Minecraft strongholds: mysterious underground complexes brimming with secrets, dangers, and valuable rewards. Ready to brave their dark corridors and face the lurking monsters? This guide is your key to exploring these ancient structures.

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?

Strongholds are ancient, underground labyrinths. Beyond their valuable loot, these sprawling catacombs contain prisons, libraries, and other intriguing areas—all leading to the ultimate prize: a portal to The End and the final boss battle against the Ender Dragon.

You'll need Eyes of Ender to activate this portal. More on that below. Note: Finding a stronghold without assistance is nearly impossible; the game provides specific mechanics for locating them.

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, buying them from villager priests, or finding them in stronghold chests).

Throw an Eye of Ender; it will float briefly towards the nearest stronghold. Remember, they're consumable, so use them wisely! For survival mode, aim for at least 30.

You'll need plenty to activate the final portal, so gather enough resources before you start your search.

The Locate Command

A less conventional (and arguably unfair) method involves enabling cheats and using the command:

/locate structure stronghold (for versions 1.20 and above)

This provides approximate coordinates. Use /tp to teleport near the stronghold, but be prepared for some additional searching.

Stronghold Rooms

Library

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

Prison

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

Fountain

A central feature, radiating a mystical atmosphere.

Secret Rooms

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

Altar

An eerie room, seemingly ancient and possibly ritualistic.

Stronghold Mobs

Expect skeletons, creepers, and silverfish. Even with basic iron armor, you should be able to handle them.

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's ultimate purpose: access to the final boss battle and the game's conclusion. Explore fully—don't miss the adventure!