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

Minecraft strongholds: mysterious underground structures brimming with secrets, dangers, and valuable rewards. These ancient catacombs offer thrilling adventures for players brave enough to explore their dark corridors. Ready to delve into the depths and face the monsters lurking within? 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?

A stronghold is an ancient, underground complex filled with winding corridors, prison cells, libraries, and other intriguing areas. Beyond the valuable loot scattered throughout, its primary purpose is to house the portal to The End, the game's final boss battle.

You'll need Eyes of Ender to activate this portal. We'll detail how to obtain and use them in the next section. It's important to note that randomly stumbling upon a stronghold is practically impossible; the game provides a specific method for locating them.

How to Find a Stronghold in Minecraft

Eye of Ender

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

• Blaze Powder (obtained 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, you'll likely need 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 higher)

This provides approximate coordinates. Use the /tp command to teleport to the location. Note that the coordinates are not precise; further exploration might be needed.

Stronghold Rooms

Library

Libraries are spacious rooms with high ceilings, bookshelves, and cobwebs. They often contain chests with enchanted books and other valuable resources.

Prison

A maze-like area with narrow corridors and dim lighting. Be wary of skeletons, zombies, and creepers.

Fountain

A central room featuring a fountain, adding a mystical element to the stronghold.

Secret Rooms

Hidden chambers behind walls, often containing chests with valuable loot. Beware of traps!

Altar

An eerie room that may appear unremarkable at first glance, but holds a mysterious significance.

Stronghold Mobs

Strongholds are inhabited by skeletons, creepers, and silverfish.

Rewards

Stronghold chests contain random loot, including enchanted books, iron armor, swords, and potentially even diamond horse armor.

Portal to the Ender Dragon

The stronghold's main purpose is to house the portal to The End and the final boss, the Ender Dragon. Exploring the stronghold itself is a rewarding experience beyond simply reaching the final boss.