Ocean Monument in Minecraft

The ocean monument is a unique naturally-generated underwater structure that can be found in deep ocean biomes. They are also known as ocean temples or water temples.

Ocean monument (via screenshot)

These structures are populated with elder guardians and guardians. They are the only place where you can find sponges and are also one of two places where prismarine can be found.

How are ocean monuments generated?

Ocean monuments can be generated in deep ocean biomes and their variants within a 16-block square radius around a center point, and aquatic biomes everywhere within a 29-block square radius around a center point. To prevent air pockets, water is generated around the monument as a part of its structure. They have no loot chest spawns and are the largest water structure in the game.

Mobs

Ocean monuments are populated with elder guardians and guardians after their generation has been completed. They always have 3 elder guardians: one at the top and one in each wing.

Elder guardians

Elder guardians are the stronger and larger variant and they can inflict mining fatigue. They are the largest aquatic mob in the game as well as the strongest. Mining fatigue is an effect that will reduce the player’s mining and attack speed. The laser takes several seconds to charge up and inflict damage to the player. Once completely charged it does 12 damage on hard difficulty. They also have spikes that deal 2 damage every time it hits the player while extended.

An elder guardian (via screenshot)

Guardian

Guardians are underwater mobs that are found inside and around ocean monuments. They are hostile mobs and will attack players or other mobs that come within range of their laser. They have spikes on their bodies that retract when swimming. Once the laser is charged it deals 6 damage as well as additional damage with its spikes when they are extended.

The layout of the ocean monument

The whole structure of the ocean monument is made of prismarine and its variants and is lit up by sea lanterns. The monument consists of a large central section that is flanked by two wings.

The entire monument is supported by 23 pillars that reach the bottom of the ocean. The central section has various types of rooms which are all randomly generated. Each monument has at least 6 rooms but can have more. They are connected horizontally and vertically to one another to connect the right and left wings to the central section.

Near the central section, the treasure room can be found with eight gold blocks encased in dark prismarine. Sometimes a room full of wet sponges can be generated. The sponges are placed on the ceiling and the room has only one entrance which is on the floor.

One of the wings contains a large room with a small pillar at its center. This room has a second elder guardian. The other wing consists of a large open space with a large square-shaped platform that houses the other elder guardian.

8 gold blocks (via screenshot)

Conclusion

Ocean monuments are dangerous and amazing structures that diversify the ocean biomes and add some more variety to them. They are also one of the only sources for prismarine and sea lanterns and are also the only place where sponges are spawned naturally.