Club Nacional

The National Club is a private club and civil association based in the Plaza San Martín of the Historic Centre of Lima. Founded on October 19, 1855, it has been the meeting place for the Peruvian aristocracy throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, as its members are members of the most distinguished and wealthy families in the country. Of its kind, it has been considered one of the ten best and most elegant clubs in the world for its facilities, bibliographic heritage and services. History The National Club was founded on October 19, 1855 by 81 members among which were members of the old Peruvian aristocracy as well as prominent foreign merchants. Its first president was Gaspar de la Puente and its first members included among others José Antonio Barrenechea, José Antonio de Lavalle, Ignacio de Osma, Manuel Pardo y Lavalle, José de la Riva-Agüero and José Antonio García y García. The club was established based on the English gentlemen's clubs that were founded during the 18th century in London, mainly in the St James's neighborhood known as Clubland, and grew in popularity throughout Europe during the 19th century. These social centers were frequented by its first president Gaspar de la Puente and contributed to create a reputation to the National Club as the "Old men's Club".