The "Niva" was a popular Russian weekly magazine published from late 1869 until September 28, 1918, in St. Petersburg by A. F. Marks. The magazine, aimed at family reading, offered a variety of materials for a wide audience. It published literary works, historical and popular science articles, anniversary essays, as well as reproductions and engravings of paintings by contemporary artists. Political and social materials were presented in a "well-meaning" light and accompanied by numerous illustrations, which until the early 20th century were mainly engravings, and later, photographic reviews.

The issues of "Niva," including the magazine and its supplements, had continuous page numbering, which facilitated the binding of annual sets. Covers for these sets were sent out by the editorial office. Thus, the first issue began with the first page, and the last one in the year, the 51st or 52nd, ended on the 1200th page.

From the very beginning of its existence, "Niva" became the most widely circulated illustrated publication. By 1870, its circulation reached 9,000 copies, which was twice the circulation of any popular "thick" monthly magazine of that time, such as "Otechestvennye Zapiski," "Russkiy Vestnik," or "Vestnik Evropy." These publications were expensive, while "Niva" attracted a different circle of readers and surpassed even daily newspapers in the number of subscribers. In 1875, 18,000 copies were sold, in 1877, 30,000, in 1878, 43,000, in 1882, 70,000, in 1884, 90,000, in 1886, 102,000, in 1891, 115,000, in 1893, 120,000, and in 1894, the circulation reached 170,000 copies. In that year, a collection of Dostoevsky's works was included with the magazine for free.

The magazine was closed by socialists in 1918.