In the binuclear title complex, [Dy(2)(C(7)H(3)N(2)O(6))(6)(C(12)H(8)N(2))(2)], the Dy(III) ions exhibit a distorted monocapped square-anti-prismatic geometry and are coordinated by seven O atoms of four 3,5-dinitrobenzoate (DNBA) anions and two N atoms of a phenanthroline ligand. The carboxylate groups of the DNBA anions exhibit three coordination modes: bidentate chelating, bidentate chelating-bridging and tridentate chelating-bridging. The center of the mol-ecule is located on a crystallographic center of inversion.