The title compound, [Mn2(C14H8O4)2(C10H8N2)2(H2O)5]·4H2O, has been obtained under hydrothermal conditions. In the asymmetric unit, there are two crystallographically distinct MnII ions, bridged by a dpa2− ligand (H2dpa = diphenic acid), which are sixfold coordinated by four O atoms and two N atoms. The O atoms coordinated to one Mn atom are from three water molecules and one dpa2− ligand, while those coordinated to the other Mn atom are from two water molecules and two dpa2− ligands. In the crystal structure, centrosymmetric dimers are formed via a pair of intermolecular O—H...O hydrogen bonds.