A process for the preparation of [1-hydroxy-2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-ethylidene]bisphosphonic acid consists of the reaction of aqueous solution of 1H-imidazole-1-acetic acid hydrochloride with phosphorus trichloride followed by removal of the excess of phosphorus trichloride, addition of water and hydrolysis of the reaction products. In order to isolate the product the post-reaction mixture is filtered and the anti-solvent is added to the aqueous filtrate in order to crystallize out [1-hydroxy-2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-ethylidene]bisphosphonic acid monohydrate.