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

By BenjaminApr 21,2025

Fortresses in Minecraft, known as strongholds, are enigmatic structures teeming with mysteries and perils. They are a cornerstone of the game world, offering adventurers a thrilling journey in exchange for valuable resources and upgrades. If you're eager to delve into the shadowy corridors of Minecraft strongholds and brave the lurking dangers, this guide is tailored 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?

Ender PortalImage: youtube.com

A stronghold is an underground catacomb, a remnant of ancient times. As you navigate its winding corridors, you'll encounter valuable items in prison cells, libraries, and other intriguing areas. The most significant feature of a stronghold is the portal to The End, the realm of the game's final boss, the Ender Dragon.

Ender DragonImage: youtube.com

Activating this portal requires an Eye of Ender, which we'll discuss further. Note that strongholds are elusive; you can't find them by mere digging. The game provides a specific mechanic to locate them, though some methods are considered less fair.

How to Find a Stronghold in Minecraft

Eye of Ender

Eye of EnderImage: youtube.com

The Eye of Ender is the legitimate and intended method for finding strongholds. Craft it using:

  • Blaze Powder
  • Ender Pearl

Blaze Powder comes from blaze rods dropped by Blazes, while Ender Pearls are mainly obtained from Endermen, though they can also be bought from priest villagers with emeralds or found in stronghold chests.

Craft Eye of EnderImage: pattayabayrealestate.com

After crafting, hold the Eye of Ender and activate it to see it fly towards the nearest stronghold for three seconds. Be cautious, as it's consumable and may either return to you or disperse. You'll need around 30 Eyes of Ender in survival mode to ensure you can activate the portal to face the Ender Dragon.

Ender PortalImage: youtube.com

The Locate Command

For a quicker, albeit less fair method, enable cheat commands in your settings and use:

/locate structure stronghold

This command, available in game versions 1.20 and above, provides coordinates to the stronghold. Use the teleport command:

/tp 

to reach the location. Remember, the coordinates are approximate, so you may need to search a bit more to find the stronghold.

The Locate CommandImage: youtube.com

Stronghold Rooms

Library

Library Stronghold MinecraftImage: youtube.com

The library, constructed from stone blocks, bricks, and bookshelves, is a vast room with high ceilings and cobwebs, adding to its mysterious allure. Hidden deep within the stronghold, libraries may contain multiple rooms. Chests near the bookshelves often hold enchanted books and other useful resources, potentially including rare items for your adventures.

Prison

Prison Stronghold MinecraftImage: youtube.com

The prison is a maze-like area with narrow corridors and dim lighting, creating a grim atmosphere. It's teeming with mobs such as skeletons, zombies, and creepers, making it a perilous place to explore. The danger here stems from these creatures rather than the prisoners themselves.

Fountain

Fountain Stronghold MinecraftImage: youtube.com

The fountain room, marked by its central water feature, exudes a magical ambiance. The light filtering through the stone cracks adds to the room's mystical charm. It might have once served as a place for rituals or solitude.

Secret Rooms

Secret rooms Stronghold MinecraftImage: youtube.com

Secret rooms, often hidden behind the stronghold's walls, are treasure troves of chests filled with valuable resources, enchanted books, and rare equipment. Be wary of traps, such as hidden arrow mechanisms, and keep your health in check as you explore these hidden chambers.

Altar

Altar Stronghold MinecraftImage: youtube.com

The altar room, initially deceptive with its prison-like appearance, features stone bricks and torches. As your eyes adjust to the dim lighting, you'll discover it's an ancient altar, hinting at the stronghold's long-forgotten history.

Stronghold Mobs

Silverfish Stronghold MinecraftImage: youtube.com

Strongholds are guarded by relatively weak mobs like skeletons, creepers, and Silverfish, manageable even with basic iron armor. Yet, be prepared to face these creatures and possibly more powerful adversaries as you delve deeper into the stronghold.

Rewards

The rewards within strongholds are randomly generated, offering a mix of fortune and chance. You might discover:

  • Enchanted book
  • Iron chestplate
  • Iron sword
  • Iron horse armor
  • Gold horse armor
  • Diamond horse armor

Portal to the Ender Dragon

Portal to the Ender DragonImage: msn.com

Every game has its climax, and in Minecraft, that's the confrontation with the Ender Dragon. After exploring the world and gathering gear, the stronghold's portal to The End awaits. It's not just a passage to the final boss but a realm of exploration and battle, making the stronghold a pivotal part of your Minecraft journey.

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