What happened to Citadela Theme? News you need to know

September 10, 2019 Author: Jarinka Categories: AitThemes News

Updated: January 29, 2020

Summer is nearly over and long awaited new WordPress theme Citadela is ready for the release. As our first estimated release date was mid summer, we’d like to say a big thank you for your patience, support & cooperation and apologies for the delay.

It’s YOU, Ait-Themes club members, our customers & fans who lead us to adapting Citadela development process to make it even more flexible and compatible than any other theme ever before.

First version of Citadela WordPress theme is now finished and will be released on 23. September 2019, once the final testing phase is over.

Thanks for your feedback

We’re happy to say that feedback form we encouraged you to fill out at the beginning of summer has delivered great results.

After the thorough analysis of your feedback and suggestions we decided to implement some of it right into the first version of Citadela.

At the same time we started preparing the grounds for further elaboration of more sophisticated features in the future.

Heartfelt thanks to all of you who took the time to tell us what’s important to you, it really feels as if you’re part of our team!

Main Advantages of Citadela WordPress Theme

Speed

Citadela will lighten up your website and make it run faster than ever. Focusing on high speed websites is one of our main goals.

Compatibility

Citadela is coded with regards of general WordPress principles, without any individual framework. This ensures great compatibility with third party plugins and other components.

Why did we moved on from Ait Framework 2 to no framework? As we’ve always focused on user friendliness, simplicity of web creation and administration, we’ve developed individual framework with a page builder. It improved user experience and made website building process easier and more enjoyable for our customers. However, after WordPress 5 release, there’s no longer a need for any special frameworks as WordPress itself became more user friendly than before.

Adaptability to evolving WordPress

Citadela theme has been designed to match the current state of WordPress with it’s WordPress block editor and Customizer. It will easily adapt to any future changes WordPress will bring.

Citadela will welcome all updates and new versions of WordPress with the delight as there are great new features & options on their way.

Security

Of course, the security of your website is an absolute priority at all times. Because Citadela has been developed respecting all WordPress principles and it’s state-of-the-art WordPress theme, you can be sure that it provides you with the highest level of security.

First version of Citadela: What’s in it?

Citadela is a 4 levels concept to match the needs of different types of customers. Here’s the list of basic features and characteristics of its first version.

1. Citadela WordPress theme

Free premium WordPress theme with refreshing design and basic functionalities with all amazing WordPress blocks.

2. Citadela PRO plugin

WordPress plugin designed for and solely working with Citadela WordPress theme enabling further customization options:

2 different theme layouts to choose from;
Classic or centered website header;
Customizable site header background;
Unlimited color picker with automatic font color changing based on contrast with chosen background;
Advanced typography with full selection of Google Fonts.

3. Citadela Blocks plugin

Citadela Blocks is an independent and fully compatible WordPress plugin with any standard WP theme. At its first release, it’ll contain 3 special blocks. More blocks will be added in future updates.

Services – block that is an absolute essential of any business website. It will allow you to present services in an appealing way.
Custom container block – can be used as block of blocks with customized design.
Custom page title – offers further setting for your page title.

4. Citadela WordPress Directory plugin

Citadela WordPress Directory plugin is a WordPress plugin which has an ability to turn any standard WordPress website into portal website. You do not need Citadela WordPress theme to use it.

First version of Citadela Directory WordPress plugin contains:

Map WordPress block
Search form WordPress block
Categories
Localities
Items
Fully customizable item detail
Search results with customizable layout
Customizable Category and Locality detail

WordPress theme compatible with Elementor

Citadela WordPress theme is fully compatible with Elementor. This is one of the most essential outcomes from customer feedback collected during this summer. You don’t need WordPress block editor Gutenberg to work with Citadela, you can use Elementor instead.

With Citadela, you can count on compatibility with other third party WordPress ingredients such as Yoast, WPML, WooCommerce or BuddyPress (and many more) as well.

What are we working on?

We want to make Citadela as universal as possible. As a result, creating websites with Citadela will be fast and straightforward for seasoned WordPress users and simple to learn for newbies.

Migration of portal website data

Many of you are wondering about the migration process of your portal website to the new Citadela theme. New plugin contains automatic migration of WordPress data.

Once you activate the plugin, migration will begin. All your items, categories and locations will be copied over from your previous theme and will automatically appear in your new theme.

Of course, the original data will remain intact so you can switch back to your previous theme anytime.

Migration will work for all 5 portal themes based on Ait framework 2: Directory+, Business Finder+, Event Guide, Food Guide and City Guide. We’ll provide you with more detailed information in a separate article about the migration process.

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Comments (42)

rk2rk

Reply ↓

item customization.
will this new theme have option of having custom drop down fields , where we can have predefined choices ?
1. Zlatko
  
  Reply ↓
  
  Hello there,
  
  thanks for asking. Yes, we plan to plan create this feature as well as all the rest of functionality currently used with the following plugins: https://www.ait-themes.club/wordpress-plugins/, even more.
  
  We’ll add them step by step during this year and will be available with Citadela Directory plugin.
  
  Best regards!
  Zlatko
  AIT team
nidamo

Reply ↓

Hello

Will citadela be multilingual like directory plus ?

Thank you and gratulations
1. Zlatko
  
  Reply ↓
  
  Hello there,
  
  thank you for your compliments and for question. Citadela theme will be fully compatible with WPML plugin.
  
  Best regards!
  Zlatko
Tore78

Reply ↓

Hi,
will “items block” give the possibility to set categories, locations AND advanced filters to show only items matching this criteria? Now is possibile to show only items for categories and locations…
1. Zlatko
  
  Reply ↓
  
  Ciao,
  
  grazie per averci ricontattato ;).
  
  Well, our first intention is to create and adapt all the features we used to use with our current directory themes. And yet, it mostly depends also on clients requests, therefore in addition, regarding newly prepared project and its extension features we’d like ask you to give us a minute of your time to answer 4 simple questions: https://aitthemes.typeform.com/to/vc7arn that can help our team make better products faster.
  Please note, it most likely we should decide to implement new functionalities step by step so it will take some time due to the other projects with the highest priority.
  
  Thanks a lot for your understanding and patience.
  
  Have a nice day!
  Zlatko
  AIT team
  
  P.S.: How is your project Aree-Picnic doing? Please consider to participate in our showcase gallery at: https://www.ait-themes.club/showcase/
Arthur

Reply ↓

Hi!
When can we expect the Citadela Directory plugin and the Citadela WordPress theme?
1. Zlatko
  
  Reply ↓
  
  Hello Arthur,
  
  thanks for asking. The theme is going to be released on 23. September 2019.
  
  Best regards!
  Zlatko
  AIT
  1. sdalex
    
    Reply ↓
    
    Hi! Directory plugin is going to be released on 23. September 2019 ? Or it wil be later?
    1. Zlatko
      
      Reply ↓
      
      Hello,
      
      thanks for asking. Yes, the folliwing products will be released on the same day:
      – Citadela WordPress theme
      – Citadela PRO plugin
      – Citadela Blocks plugin
      – Citadela Directory plugin
      
      Have a nice day!
      Zlatko
cityguide24

Reply ↓

hi zlatko,

u said ” The theme is going to be released on 23. September 2019. ”
so it means the plugin also release same day ? bec the question of arthur was “When can we expect the Citadela Directory plugin”
thanks for short expl. i whaiting also on the directory plugin
1. Zlatko
  
  Reply ↓
  
  Hey there,
  
  thanks for asking. Theme and extension plugins will be released on the same day (23.9.):
  – Citadela WordPress theme
  – Citadela PRO plugin
  – Citadela Blocks plugin
  – Citadela Directory plugin
  
  Best regards!
  Zlatko
Aki

Reply ↓

So I’m not really convinced of this new theme. I do not understand what advantages it should have. Similar themes can be found in the market. The same goes for the plugins. So for me, I see no reason to update or change. In addition, there will certainly be many bugs at the beginning. I would rather wait a year and watch it the whole time and read the reviews of the others. At the moment I am almost satisfied with what I have.
What about the other AIT plugins like the Events Plugin? Does that work with Citadela.
Thank you
1. Zlatko
  
  Reply ↓
  
  Hello Aki,
  
  thanks for your comment.
  We have a plan to make the extension that will work like Events Pro plugin too and many more features are also coming to be introduced step by step.
  We did our best to avoid bugs as much as possible, and yet if there is a bug we’ll fix it as soon as possible and once everything is double checked we release the new theme for the market.
  
  Kindest regards!
  Zlatko
  AIT team
matador

Reply ↓

3 days from now, I am waiting :]
accursio

Reply ↓

Congratulations on your excellent work.
is it compatible with all your plugins?
can you implement social login plugin (facebook, google)?
1. Zlatko
  
  Reply ↓
  
  Hello there,
  
  thanks a lot for your compliments.
  Together with Citadela theme we are going to release also extensions (plugins) which are designed to be used with Citadela theme (but not only, compatibility with the 3rd party developers products was the one of goals to achieve). Therefore, any social login plugin made by 3rd party developer’s company will working correctly if created based on wordpress codex compliance.
  
  In addition, regarding newly prepared project and its extension features we’d like ask you to give us a minute of your time to answer 4 simple questions: https://aitthemes.typeform.com/to/vc7arn that can help our team make better products faster.
  
  Thanks for your time and understanding.
  
  Kind regards!
  Zlatko
  AIT team
Rudi

Reply ↓

This theme not yet release?
1. Zlatko
  
  Reply ↓
  
  Hello Rudi,
  
  theme is going to be released today.
  
  Best regards!
  Zlatko
  AIT
Med

Reply ↓

Hello
How to install citadela. Is it possible to dowload it with my Current Premium account?
BR
Med
1. Zlatko
  
  Reply ↓
  
  Hello Med,
  
  thanks for asking. After checking your account in our system registered to user name “mouden”, i have found out that you have activated Full membership package which means that you have full access to all of our current products + access to all new items that we are intended to create and release in the future. This option you have till the package is valid and the current one is activated till 2019-10-13. After that time you have automatic renewal set which means that you access will be prolonged for the 1 year with access to support forum too.
  
  In other words, once we release Citadela theme and plugins during this day you’ll get free access to all those items.
  
  Thanks for understanding.
  Kind regards!
  Zlatko
Matador

Reply ↓

Release today?
1. Zlatko
  
  Reply ↓
  
  Hi,
  
  the theme and plugins are out: https://www.ait-themes.club/wordpress-themes/
  
  Best regards!
  AIT team
cityguide24

Reply ↓

its 23, its 23… hurrrra
what time will be released today ?
:-O
1. Zlatko
  
  Reply ↓
  
  Hello,
  
  theme and plugins are out!
  You’ll find them at: https://www.ait-themes.club/wordpress-themes/
  All the best on your new job.
  
  Cheers!
  Zlatko
  AIT team
Nick

Reply ↓

Citadela is a really nice theme. With the plugins it’s even nicer. I love how you implemented icons into the directory categories making our job so much easier!! No more artwork! However, it is not ready to meet my needs yet. I will have to wait for some of the older AIT plugins & widgets to be available for Citadela. Registration widget, Easy Admin, etc. But make no mistake, this theme in time will be awesome.
razemottes

Reply ↓

Hello, the plugin event pro is not compatible with citadela, do you quickly add this plugin or do you have to go through another way?
Congratulations for your work
dan
1. Zlatko
  
  Reply ↓
  
  Hello Razemottes,
  
  thanks a lot for your compliments and for asking. Yeah, it’s our goal to step by step add all features we used to offer compatible with our previous directory themes like Directory+, Business Finder+ etc. We’ll keep informed all our newsletter’s subscribers about newly released features.
  
  Have a good day!
  Zlatko
  AIT team
Denis

Reply ↓

Hello,
I downloaded the theme and all blocks, HOW DOES it work?
Is their any tutorial? Anything, how I see, how you create the listing demo?
I see that it seems to work with your xreated PAGES, but them I dont know how to get dynamic content to these pages?
HELP!
Denis
1. Zlatko
  
  Reply ↓
  
  Dear Denis,
  
  we thank you for using Citadela theme and its plugins.
  Please check out the documentation page at: https://www.ait-themes.club/citadela-documentation/
  
  Should you further questions, feel free to post technical question directly in our dedicated support ticket system. Please login into your account at https://system.ait-themes.club/support/add-question.
  Our technicians are ready to answer you most efficiently even as quick as possible when you decide for priority question (obviously within a few working hours). Customer Support is provided during working days from 8am to 5pm Central European Time.
  
  Hope you’ll find those info useful.
  
  Sincerely!
  AIT team
  1. Denis
    
    Reply ↓
    
    Hello,
    I allready red this simple documentation, not helpfull.
    It dies not show anything.
    Maybe other customers are more Smart Then I.
    Sorry, i cant change anything in the Directory Block.
    I am to Stupid.
    1. Zlatko
      
      Reply ↓
      
      Hello Denis,
      
      thanks for your feedback. Please contact our technicians via support forum: https://system.ait-themes.club/support/add-question.
      Our technicians are ready to answer you most efficiently even as quick as possible when you decide for priority question (obviously within a few working hours). Customer Support is provided during working days from 8am to 5pm Central European Time.
      
      Secondly,
      what kind of changes you are intended to perform/create, please?
      
      Best regards!
      Zlatko
      AIT
Marie

Reply ↓

Is Citadela compatible with Woocomerce?
1. Zlatko
  
  Reply ↓
  
  Hello Marie,
  
  thanks for asking. Yeah, Citadela theme is fully compatible wit WoCommerce plugin and its extensions.
  Should you have further questions, please contact us back.
  
  Best regards!
  Zlatko
  AIT
Arthur

Reply ↓

Hi,
i have installed the Theme and Directory Plugin – I’m little confused because there a lot of features missing – like the Gallery for example…
How can I add Pictures to the Item?

And what about the other Features – will they be added shortly?

BEst Regards
1. Zlatko
  
  Reply ↓
  
  Hello Arthur,
  
  thanks for using Citadela products. We are hardly working on adding new feartures, and we’ll inform you once they are available via newsletter.
  Secondly, we’d like kindly ask you to check our knowledge base and/or documentation with video tutorials:
  https://www.ait-themes.club/ait-themes-documentation/
  Or feel free to post technical question directly in our dedicated support ticket system. Please login into your account at https://system.ait-themes.club/support/add-question.
  Our technicians are ready to answer you most efficiently even as quick as possible when you decide for priority question (obviously within a few working hours). Customer Support is provided during working days from 8am to 5pm Central European Time.
  Thanks for understanding.
  
  Have a good day!
  Zlatko
BruceC

Reply ↓

I downloaded and played with Citadela and I like what I see so far. I fully support the direction you’re headed in and you guys did a great job on making the transition!

BUT without some of the plugins that were available for the older BusinessFinder theme it is pretty much worthless to me at this point in time.

Can you provide an “expected” release date of some of your key plugins for a directory type website so that I will be able to plan ahead?

I’m primarily interested in:
Item Reviews
Special Offers
Get Directions
Events
Advanced Filters
Claim Listing
Easy Admin
Item Extension
1. Zlatko
  
  Reply ↓
  
  Hello Bruce,
  
  thanks for your compliments and for asking. All mentioned features are going to be added during coming weeks, please kindly also note that this is our the highest priority. But, time to time happens that we have to solve some issues which might be a reason in case of delay. Thanks for your understanding and patience.
  
  Kindest regards!
  Zlatko
  AIT team
  1. BruceC
    
    Reply ↓
    
    When you’re rewriting the item reviews plugin, you should consider allowing the registered business owner or admin to respond to a review that has been left for that item.
    
    One of the most utilized features in Google reviews is allowing the business owner to reply to a negative review or fake review. This helps to level the playing field between customers and business owners.
    
    This should tie into the claim listing plugin
    1. Zlatko
      
      Reply ↓
      
      Hello Bruce,
      
      thanks for your feedback. We’ll definitely have a look at it and consider.
      
      Kind regards!
      Zlatko
      AIT team
Janneke

Reply ↓

I am already looking at other listing sites with events when I saw all the news about Citadela, which looks promising. What is the status of the events pro plugin which is almost the core of my site. Any time estimate when this will become available. I also have promotions currently in my site, and would love to be able to categorise them and be able to list them on seperate pages based on category. Looking forward to your reply, Janneke
1. Zlatko
  
  Reply ↓
  
  Hello Janneke,
  
  thanks a lot for your reply.
  Due to fact that we are continuously working on the brand new features of Citadela directory listing plugin etc we are not able to ensure you about exact date when full events features should be available. It’s highly possible we should achieve these goals within coming 4-6 months.
  Thank you for your understanding.
  Have a nice day!
  Zlatko
  AIT team