A stronghold is a naturally generated structure in the Overworld that looks like a mysterious, abandoned fortress hidden deep underground. Its most important and unique feature is the End Portal Room – the only place in the game where the End portal can be found.
The End is not just the final phase of the game, but an entirely new dimension where the Ender Dragon, Minecraft’s main boss, awaits. Defeating the dragon symbolizes completing the game, but it also opens the way to explore End Cities, obtain an elytra, and discover many other rare resources.
To reach it, you first need to find a stronghold and navigate its puzzle-like maze in search of the portal.
How to find Stronghold in Minecraft
Finding this unique structure might seem a bit complicated, but thanks to the Eye of Ender, the process is quite intuitive. The Eye of Ender is a special item that allows you to locate the nearest stronghold by flying in its direction when thrown on the ground.
To craft it, you need Blaze Powder (obtained from Blaze Rods) and Ender Pearls (obtained from Endermen).
When you throw the Eye of Ender, you’ll notice it moves in a specific direction — once it starts dropping straight down, you can start digging. It’s worth bringing several with you, because there’s a 20% chance it will break after being thrown.
Players in Creative Mode can teleport to the location using locate and teleport commands.
/locate structure minecraft:stronghold
Strongholds generate only in the Overworld dimension and are distributed in a way that is both scattered and structured – in concentric rings around the world’s starting point. A total of up to 128 structures can exist, and each one contains exactly one portal room. The first ring always includes 3 structures, and each subsequent ring contains more.
They can generate under almost any biome, including oceans, deserts, and mountains. Their structures adapt to the terrain, which is why some parts of a stronghold may protrude into caves or intersect with mineshafts.
What does a Stronghold look like
It is a multi-level structure resembling an underground maze made up of different rooms, corridors, and intersections. It is built from various types of stone bricks, which gives it the look of an old, abandoned building. Each one has a unique layout, but there are certain elements that appear almost every time.
- Spiral staircase – the central starting point from which many corridors lead to lower levels.
- Library – a room full of bookshelves, with lots of cobwebs and chests containing loot.
- Corridors – narrow passages connecting rooms, with iron doors, chests, pressure plates, or lanterns.
- Prison cells – small rooms closed off with iron bars and doors. Sometimes mobs can be found inside.
- End portal room – the most important place, which contains the portal frames. It also includes a silverfish spawner and a pool of lava.
Loot in Stronghold
This place doesn’t just lead to the End – it also hides plenty of treasures that can be useful later in the game. Depending on the room, you’ll find different types of items – from basic resources to rarely encountered ones.
Libraries contain chests with paper, books, and also rare enchanted items. Sometimes you’ll find a compass, map, or feather. Large libraries contain hundreds of bookshelves – a perfect source for enchanting.
Corridors have chests with iron ingots, gold, redstone, apples, or bread. Sometimes you’ll come across tools and armor, and in rare cases, Ender Pearls.
The portal frames may already contain a few Eyes of Ender.
