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

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

Author:Kristen Update:Apr 27,2025

Fortresses in Minecraft, also known as strongholds, are enigmatic structures brimming with secrets and perils. They are essential to the game world, offering players thrilling adventures in exchange for valuable resources and upgrades. If you're eager to delve into the shadowy corridors of Minecraft fortresses and face the lurking monsters, 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 relic from ancient times. As you wander through its corridors, you'll discover prison cells, libraries, and other intriguing locales. Most crucially, strongholds house the portal leading to The End, the realm of the game's final boss, the Ender Dragon.

Ender DragonImage: youtube.com

Activating this portal requires the Eye of Ender, which we'll explore in the next section. Note that finding a stronghold without assistance is nearly impossible, even with extensive digging. The game provides only one official method for locating them, though there are alternative, less conventional approaches.

How to Find a Stronghold in Minecraft

Eye of Ender

Eye of EnderImage: youtube.com

The Eye of Ender is the legitimate and developer-approved method for finding these ancient structures. Craft it using:

  • Blaze Powder
  • Ender Pearl

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

Craft Eye of EnderImage: pattayabayrealestate.com

Once crafted, hold the Eye of Ender and use it. It will fly into the air for 3 seconds, pointing toward the nearest stronghold. Be cautious, as it's a consumable item that might either return to you or vanish. Use it wisely!

Ender PortalImage: youtube.com

You'll need several Eyes of Ender to activate the portal, so gather ample resources before embarking on your search. In survival mode, around 30 Eyes of Ender are recommended to ensure you can challenge the Ender Dragon.

The Locate Command

The Locate CommandImage: youtube.com

For a less conventional approach, enable cheat commands in the game settings and use the command:

/locate structure stronghold

This is effective for Minecraft versions 1.20 and above. After receiving the coordinates, teleport to the location using:

/tp 

Remember, the coordinates are approximate, so some additional searching might be required to find the stronghold.

Stronghold Rooms

Library

Library Stronghold MinecraftImage: youtube.com

The library, constructed from stone blocks, bricks, and bookshelves, is a spacious room with high ceilings and cobwebs, lending it a mysterious air. Libraries are deeply hidden within the stronghold, and multiple might be discovered during exploration. Chests near the bookshelves contain enchanted books and other useful resources, possibly including rare items to aid your adventures.

Prison

Prison Stronghold MinecraftImage: youtube.com

The prison resembles a labyrinth with narrow corridors, bars, and dim lighting, creating a grim atmosphere. It's populated by skeletons, zombies, and creepers. Navigating this area requires caution as danger lurks around every corner, primarily from the mobs rather than the prisoners themselves.

Fountain

Fountain Stronghold MinecraftImage: youtube.com

The fountain room is unmistakable, with its central water feature evoking a sense of ancient magic. Light filtering through cracks adds a mystical touch, hinting at past rituals or a sanctuary for the stronghold's inhabitants.

Secret Rooms

Secret Rooms Stronghold MinecraftImage: youtube.com

The stronghold's walls conceal secret rooms filled with surprises. These chambers often hold chests with valuable resources, enchanted books, and rare equipment. Be wary of traps, such as hidden arrow mechanisms, and keep an eye on your health as you navigate these hidden spaces.

Altar

Altar Stronghold MinecraftImage: youtube.com

The altar room might initially seem more like a grim prison than a sacred space, with its stone brick walls marked by time. Torches surround a central stone, and as your eyes adjust to the dim light, you'll recognize it as an ancient altar left by the structure's long-gone inhabitants.

Stronghold Mobs

Silverfish Stronghold MinecraftImage: youtube.com

The stronghold is defended by relatively weak enemies like skeletons, creepers, and numerous Silverfish, manageable even with basic iron armor. However, these creatures still pose a significant threat, especially in numbers, as you explore the stronghold's depths.

Rewards

The rewards found in strongholds are random, offering a chance for great fortune or modest gains. 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 beginning and end, and in Minecraft, the stronghold is the gateway to the final challenge—the Ender Dragon in The End. After collecting gear and exploring the world in survival mode, the stronghold becomes the next destination. It's not just a passage to the endgame but a place filled with adventures and formidable foes. Exploring every nook and cranny and encountering all its inhabitants is an experience not to be missed.