In the title compound, [Co(C(10)H(7)N(2)O(2))(2)(H(2)O)(4)], the Co(II) atom lies on an inversion centre and displays a slightly distorted octa-hedral geometry. The coordination sphere is defined by two mutually trans N atoms from two 4-(imidazol-1-yl)benzoate ligands and the O atoms from four water mol-ecules. The crystal structure is stabilized by O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds.