Paraguay’s National Tourism Secretariat (SENATUR) has officially launched Jesuíticas Fonts, the first digital typeface inspired by the region’s Jesuit missions. The project draws on historic manuscripts; in particular, those from Jesús de Tavarangué, La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná, and San Cosme y Damián. The three sites are in Paraguay, recognised by UNESCO, and repackages their letterforms into a modern font.
The project is part of the strengthening of the Jesuit Route, an initiative that unites Paraguay with Brazil, Argentina and Bolivia in the promotion of this shared heritage.
Where tradition meets technology
“More than design, it is identity,” explained Andrés Ortiz, Director General of Tourist Products at SENATUR. “The Missions were the setting of historic moments. Today we take that legacy into the digital world.”
Each character in the new font underwent extensive digitalisation. The goal is to transform centuries-old traces into characters ready for contemporary use in branding, publishing, and education.
Jesuíticas Font: A tool with many uses
Scholars, designers, and content creators can freely download Jesuíticas Fonts via the SENATUR portal, which the team designed for their use.
“This is not just a font for documents,” said Diego Centurión, Art Director of the creative agency behind the project. “It can be incorporated in operating systems and global platforms.”
By releasing the font, SENATUR advances its strategy to elevate Paraguay’s identity as an authentic destination where tradition and innovation converge.
Why it matters
The introduction of Jesuíticas Fonts represents more than a design innovation. Paraguay uses the font to modernise how it communicates its cultural heritage assets globally. The Jesuit missions reflect centuries of art, architecture, and knowledge. And by converting those elements into a digital typeface, the country is preserving and projecting its identity for future generations.
SENATUR views this digital launch as a precursor to further cultural and tourism initiatives. In presenting the font at the 2025 Paraguayan International Tourism Fair, the agency emphasised how the Missions continue to inspire sustainable development and cross-border cultural routes. With the font now available online, Paraguay invites educators, designers, and creators to participate in its heritage revitalisation.
At a recent meeting of Mercosur ministers, it was decided that Paraguay will host the UN Office for the Jesuit Way, a recognition that positions the country as the regional epicenter of the Jesuit legacy.
